BBP Hamptons Hybrid Messenger/Backpack Laptop Bag Obsidian Black Large

Overall I love this bag and would highly recommend it. It's made with an attention to ergonomics that makes it very functional. I wanted something I could ride my mountain bike with and wouldn't fly around and then convert to a messenger so I could get into it without having to take it off and put it back on over and over. This does all that wonderfully. It's also stylish and different looking from your typical bag.The Good:The bag is weather resistant. From the covered smaller teeth on the zippers to the rubberized lining on the outside pockets, this bag will keep your things dry in the rain long enough for you to take cover. The orange lining on the main pocket makes it easy to find things in the bottom and a mesh zippered pocket inside the main pocket will keep all your small things from rattling around the larger main pocket. The bag's lower positioning works; it distributes the weight in a way that is much easier on the lower and upper back. Also the way the bag straps fit I find it easier and more comfortable to shrug into and out of this backpack then most. I'm 6'4" and the straps on the Large size bag are long enough for me with plenty left over.As stated in other reviews this bag is made extremely sturdy from top to bottom. The strap clips are thick, metal, and durable. The buckles are made out of a high grade plastic and contrary to some of the reviews I really can't see someone accidently unbuckling them, nor is it even possible for the entire bag to fall to the floor if one buckle or strap fails. The bag does not bounce all that much without the hip strap unless it is near empty or you are jogging/running. I wear the hip strap when I ride my mountain bike and it keeps the bag more secure than a typical backpack and leave it off otherwise with no complaints.The Bad:The bak2pak strap system does work, however as they mention several times on the site it's meant to be a backpack first and a messenger bag second. When converted to a messenger bag the strap bunches and is not padded at the shoulder. The bunching can be fixed easily with an 8"strip of velcro or a large rubber band. For occasional use as a messenger bag though you will be fine with the strap as is. Because I use it as a messenger bag often I purchased a separate bag strap and keep it folded up in the larger zippered pocket, it fits perfectly.The bag is built to be sturdy, not light weight. And these bags are deceptively big, I'm 6'4" and the Large I bought is more than big enough for me. I would suggest a Medium for the average person unless you plan on carrying a 17" laptop or a ton of stuff.I only have two real complaints and neither is major. One is that although the laptop pocket is padded it doesn't have side bumpers inside the pocket, so Netbooks and tablets that are small enough to shift side to side aren't as protected as they could have been. Lastly, The front flap buckles are set low enough to be out of arms reach, which means you have to set the bag on something or pull it up by the handle to reach them while it is converted to a messenger bag.

PROS: The Hamptons bag is very roomy and has good quality stitching and finishing. I especially like the external pockets for easy access to smaller devices like PDAs or cell phones. One clever feature is the use of an orange interior. The orange reflects light and makes it easier to find things inside the bag.CONS: The bag is advertised as being both a backpack & messenger bag. But the shoulder strap is designed in such a way that it makes messenger bag carry very cumbersome and uncomfortable. When shortening the strap as instructed, it leaves slack that's either left dangling or bunched up. It not only looks bad but also gets in the way. What also gets in the way is the big plastic buckle & button strap (used for back pack mode) on the strap that is also left dangling. Also there is no padding in the middle of the strap, so when you carry the bag messenger-bag style, the strap bites into your shoulder. The padding only works when you carry backpack-style. This problem would be solved if BumBakPak had two separate straps instead of one "all-in-one" strap. Speaking of straps, contrary to the company ads, this bag WILL bounce against your bum when wearing it as a backpack...unless you also use the included hip & sternum straps. I also noticed that some of the smaller pockets on the Hamptons bag have thin nylon and are unlined on the inside. Over time these pockets will wear out faster than the rest of the bag. Finally I have a minor beef. BumBakPak went cheap and only put zipper pulls on the zippers on the outside of the bag. The interior zippers have no pulls, it's up to you to make your own with paracord or shoelaces. Come on BumBakPak! These pulls cost less than $0.10 a piece! Cheapos!The Hamptons Hybrid (L size) is a decent big bag with lots of room and pockets. Carrying your junk in an organized way is a snap. But bottom line with the included strap makes the Back Pack mode good, Messenger Bag mode bad!

I lucked out. I had been thinking about buying this bag for quite a while. It became available for $20 used, so I immediately got it. It looked brand new.It is heavy empty, but I expected that by reading the specs and looking at the construction. Anything with back padding is going to be heavy. It gets real heavy when you load it to capacity and you can load a lot in this bag. I put my Macpro, my work papers and two 2 inch-3 ring binders.I am just old enough to remember the leather satchel bags that professors used. That's what I liken this bag too. When fully loaded, this bag would be a bit of a liability if you rode a bike to work, because it is not tricked out like a Bailey Works bag that is made for riding. It is more of a plains, trains, and automobile commuter bag.I like the orange interior. It helps to find lost items. The backpack option is nice, especially when it is fully loaded. I wouldn't hike the Sierra Trail with it, but I would use the option to run through a train terminal. Overall, the bag is very well sewn. The zippers are a bit "grabby", but nothing I can't live with.

I purchased this bag for its versitility and rugged construction. It worked great for my limited travel until my last trip. The metal shaft of one clip broke while I was walking through the airport. To me, this is an obvious defect. I was wearing it as a backpack at the time and had to carry it by the bag's top handle. It's still usable that way, but as a woman, I want a strap and prefer the backpack configuration for even weight distribution.Although the bag is roomy and has lots of compartments, it's not light even when empty, so I didn't load it down. Without the use of the strap, it's now useless and Amazon's return policy for defective products is really bad once you pass the 30 day return policy window. I've had the bag 4 months and used it during 4 business trips to carry my laptop, iPad and miscellaneous cords and connectors.I would not recommend this bag. The defect in the rotating clip shaft makes it unreliable and a poor value.